Copper Fire Pit

Having been raised by two of the staunchest Midwesterners you'll meet either side of the Mississippi, I am well acquainted with the mail order offerings of Land's End.

More than one of my school photos was taken with me in one of the company's striped rugby shirts or cotton crewneck sweaters. As an adult woman whose fashion has taken a slightly more feminine turn, it still pleases me to browse the Land's End website, especially when I happen upon an item that's actually fitting for my L.A. life.

This year, the online catalog offers a handsome copper fire pit for all your backyard (or garden) gathering needs. Cozier than a grill, a fire pit gives you something to gather around, gaze across during the Beatles sing-along, and stare into when it gets late and there's not much left to say.

And compared to the positively gothic designs I've seen at Home Depot, the Land's End pit is inoffensively streamlined. It would be a great addition to any party, to give our city lives a little primordial oomph.